1

It is stressful.

2

Networking is the most valuable skill for the transition, yet is not emphasized during the transition.

3

1. The military spends years telling us how valuable our "leadership" is. When we try to sell that to an employer, they don't want leadership, they want profit and time sold. If you want to be hired as a leader based on your military experience, make sure you have a star or more on your shoulder. 2. If you are applying to a defense contractor position that is full as ex-military, don't bother "civilianizing" the terms on your resume, It just annoys me when I have to try to translate it back into military-speak so I can figure out what you really did.

4

Start your transition as soon as possible. Reach out to civilians in the workforce that you are looking to enter prior to leaving. The best transitions also have the best networks.

5

Don't think SO much about how to profit FROM your military experience...THINK about WHAT you want to do and do it! The Post-9-11 GI Bill should be better emphasized as an enabler to get where you are going and less emphasized about transferring to your kids...I'm going to law school using my GI Bill...I was a VERY successful loggie, but the GI Bill is fueling that career change...IT'S A HUGELY undersold program.

6

Ask all kinds of questions,do your own research,& talk with others retirees.

7

You must be able to articulate your military skills in terms that a detached, unexposed, poorly educated recruiter or personnel specialist can understand. They are not aware of the military, they mostly don't care about the military, and they certainly would rather not have anything to do with you.

8

Terminology is different. Don't guess at how the experience you have is applicable to industry. Sit down with someone who is in industry today and ask them how veterans are used in their own business experience and customer context.

9

Be ready for a different culture outside the fence.

10

Be sure you have a hobby and /or a transition job after retirement or separation. Learn to speak "civilian".

11

START EARLY!

12

Utilize resources available to evaluate career goals and interest. Network, network, network!

13

Don't get discouraged, and don't expect it to be the same as the military. Many of your peers are in the work place to "get the most they can for the least they can do". It's not fun, but it's also something you can overcome with the right attitude.

14

It is extremely important to receive a complete and thorough physical. Ensure that all medical issues are documented. Engage with the VA immediately if a departure if not prior to the actual day. Investigate how your specialty will transfer to the private sector. Even do a few interviews and have an idea of what you want to do versus what you are qualified for.

15

Upon transition you lose your support network--the folks who understand what you did. Its never the same again.

16

My case may be atypical, but I initially 'retired into my current job', that is, I took a DoD civilian position in the organization in which I was serving. In retrospect, the best advice I could give to a prospective retiree is 'use your next job to build lifetime financial stability' (take full advantage of your next job's 401(k), etc.

17

Figure out what you want and don't want to do

18

Having a personal network and knowing how to engage it

19

People don't understand what you do in the military. Military people develop broad skill sets, while civilians' careers tend to be narrow and deep.

20

Take the time to work on a transition plan while still on active duty. The transition will be no better than the plan put in place. Check all of the boxes when you start your retirement or discharge process. Get copies of all your records especially your medical and dental records. Ensure any health issues are well documented as this is not always the case. Remember, the transition is not as easy as one would think. Understand the complete details of nay position you might be offered to entice you to depart the military!! Plan-Plan-Plan

21

Start early and gather information from various assignments, duties, responsibilities, accomplishments, etc. They get fuzzy quickly, but, while often taken for granted, are easily captured at the time.

22

Network before you separate if at all possible.

23

Learn to translate your military experience into marketable civilian skills.

24

Take advantage of transition programs offered by your service or volunteer organizations. Learn how to define your military experience in terms of transferable skills relevant to the civilian economy.

25

If you are retiring from the service your pension gives you the ability to really find and enjoy your dream second career. For most retirees you are over the age of 40 ... some of us were in our 50s when we took off the uniform. If being a GS civilian or defense contractor is what you love to do ... go for it. But if you are doing it for the $$ don't. Your 2nd career should be something that makes you love what you do. Raising money for a non-profit, being a STEM career coach at a University, working in an Engineering and Computing college, becoming a professional Boy Scout or Girl Scout leader, running your own ice cream stand ... they are all careers and if they put a smile on your face every day ... your pension pays the bills.

26

If you plan to change industry or leverage skills not abuntantly prevalent in your current military career, spend a lot of time doing informational interviews. I'm a weather guy by industry, and did not want to do this any longer. I wanted a leadership position either in business development or program delivery, didn't care what industry. This made it extremely difficult and I did not spend as much time as I should have investigating the challenges I'd encounter. It has worked out, but took some challenging jobs before getting there.

27

Take time to sort yourself out. There is a strong pull to action. Get moving towards an objective. Too often, for too many that near term objective is a detour and a deterrent. Breath.

28

Learn how to speak "civilian." Be able to express what you have done and what you have to offer in the kinds of words a hiring manager can understand. Also, be realistic. You wouldn't hire a Senior Regional Manager for a major retail organization to lead a combat brigade. Vice versa, don't expect that leading a combat brigade makes you a great fit for a Senior Regional Manager at a major retail organization.

29

Networking

30

The civilian work force is generally not the "team" you are leaving. There is not the same sense of purpose, mission and camaraderie. This is probably the hardest thing to get past, in my opinion.

31

Be in the right mental state of mind for transition. Never look back and second guess your decision to retire or separate.

32

Know about the VA and ensure you have a full physical and best knowledge foundation possible about what retirement from the military really entails.

33

Civilian reality is MUCH different then our careers/profession in the military

34

Start networking and keeping track of potential hiring managers 1-2 years before leaving the military. Need to know someone in a company to get a job.

35

I spent far too little time preparing, especially with respect to what I wanted to do when I retired. I took a high-paying, high-pressure job in a location I hated -- and quickly burned out. Found balance on the second try, but still adjusting to the transition. It's going to take awhile.

36

First, be patient. Second, seek help. As a retiring senior officer who desires to continue in executive management and leadership positions, I should have hired an executive recruiter. There's too much to do and I had too little knowledge to do it all myself. And, many C level jobs are not posted on typical careers websites, etc.

37

Find all the people you know and tell them you are leaving and need a job.

38

I think ill' say just keep your head up you are loved.

39

Build your network.

40

Attend TAP well in advance to planned retirement. Make sure your Medical records are current and available, get them transferred to a CD as soon as practical. Build a resume that translates your military service to the civilian world. Start developing a network for future employment opportunities.

41

Make sure EVERYTHING that's wrong with you is in your medical records!!!

42

Spend some down time listing what is important to you in a second career and what you enjoy doing. Then look for someone to pay you to do what you enjoy. Try to avoid what is convenient or easy by simply repeating or continuing your military career if that is not what excites you about a second career. The most important skill set we learn and live in the military is our core values, teamwork and determination to succeed at the mission. That applies to all workplaces and careers. These are the skills industry wants most. So take your time and research your next chapter.

43

Networking with everyone you know

44

NETWORK! Network with people you know who have gone ahead of you. Get their help with your resume and their help/advice to get in the door where you want to be interviewed. The civilian workplace is all about networking. "Going in cold" is a low probability approach. When seeking an interview, especially if they don't know you, frame it as informational research -- this can enable a more relaxed atmosphere yet at the same time put your talents in front of them. Finally, remember you are never "off stage" in the company of a prospective employer or someone you seek a recommendation from. This is especially important at the bar.

45

Figure out where you want live and target employers in that area. Unless you don't really care where you live.

46

Start preparations for separation/retirement one year prior. Although civilians appreciate your service, it doesn't gain you much in civilian or corporate world. You will be the "new guy" in any job, at any level you get. Years of accomplishments and high level performance will not jump you to the head of the line. Be prepared to start at a responsibility level below your highest level in the military. Also, don't expect to get the same level of personal fulfillment from corporate world. It really is about the money.

47

Network ahead of time, it's the best way to get a job (as opposed to actually applying for jobs)

48

Get recognized civilian certifications PRIOR to leaving the military. Military experience doesn't count with employers, certifications do.

49

The civilian world is ready and willing to help you transition, you just have to make your intentions known.

50

Start early, take the TAP class even if you are just concidering leaving...it gives you more options.